Many illnesses can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and stomach pain. It is difficult to narrow down the specific condition someone may have based on symptoms alone. A doctor can provide a proper diagnosis.
These symptoms may also be interlinked. For example, someone may experience a headache and dizziness due to changes in their head. Stomach pain may be due to nausea. Fatigue may result if someone is tired due to pain.
There are many possible causes for these symptoms, so it is essential for people to contact a doctor and avoid self-diagnosing. This way, a person can get the most accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.
This article explains some possible causes of headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain, including gastroenteritis, migraine, and COVID-19. It also advises when to contact a healthcare professional for each possible cause.
Gastroenteritis results from inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Different conditions can cause gastroenteritis, including viruses such as norovirus and bacterial infections such as Salmonella.
Symptoms
A person with gastroenteritis may experience:
Headaches can be a symptom of dehydration resulting from the gastroenteritis infection itself. They may also occur due to muscle stiffness from vomiting or staying in bed for long periods.
Dizziness may occur because of lost fluids from diarrhea or vomiting.
When to contact a doctor
However, if a person shows signs of dehydration or the illness worsens, they should contact a healthcare professional. Symptoms of dehydration or severe gastroenteritis may
- irritability
- diarrhea for more than 2 days
- high fever
- six or more bouts of diarrhea a day
- severe pain in the stomach or rectum
- black or bloody stools
- stools with pus
- sunken eyes
- extreme thirst
- dark urine
Treatment of gastroenteritis may involve antibiotics if the doctor suspects a bacterial cause. Young children, older adults, or pregnant people will require intensive rehydration.
Learn more about the signs of dehydration.
Sometimes, people experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain during pregnancy.
Some individuals may develop these symptoms in early pregnancy as pregnancy hormone levels rise. However, symptoms can occur at any stage.
Symptoms
A person who is pregnant
- headaches
- vomiting or nausea
- stomach pain
- pelvic pain
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- low blood pressure
- high heart rate
- changes in vaginal discharge or urine
When to contact a doctor
A person may often expect these symptoms during pregnancy. However, it is important for individuals to tell a doctor about all symptoms and ask about treatment options for those that disrupt daily life.
If someone experiences severe dizziness, a headache so intense it is unbearable, or cannot keep any food down, they should seek care right away.
Some people find relief from pregnancy symptoms by avoiding certain foods, drinking more water, or resting.
Learn more about what to expect during pregnancy.
Migraine is a chronic condition.
Symptoms
A migraine headache is a type of neurological headache
- moderate to severe headache on one side of the head
- pulsating head pain
- worsening pain during routine physical activity
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light and sound
Some people also experience unusual sensations, such as strange lights or sounds.
When to contact a doctor
Migraine is not dangerous. However, if a person experiences the following symptoms alongside a migraine headache, they should contact a doctor:
- fever
- unexplained weight loss
- sudden severe head pain
- facial numbness
- vision changes
- difficulty speaking
- persistent pain in the same place in the head
- changes in the headache pain when changing position, sneezing, coughing, or straining
Identifying migraine triggers can help a person avoid headaches. A doctor can also prescribe a wide range of medications, including those that can prevent or treat migraine.
Read more on when to worry about a headache.
Cold and flu viruses are
Symptoms
People with the cold or influenza virus may develop the following symptoms:
- headaches
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- fever or chills
- fatigue
- chest pain
- sneezing or coughing
- sore throat
Symptoms of the flu
When to contact a doctor
Both the cold and flu are viruses that
- difficulty breathing
- ongoing chest or stomach pain or pressure
- ongoing dizziness or confusion
- seizures
- severe muscle pain
- extreme weakness
- fever or cough that goes away and comes back or worsens
People should drink plenty of fluids, rest, and stay home to avoid transmitting the virus.
The novel coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness. Symptoms can be severe or moderate, or a person may not notice them.
Symptoms
A person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
- fever or chills
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- muscle and body aches
- stuffy nose
- headaches
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- loss of taste or smell
Learn the difference between COVID-19, cold, and flu symptoms.
When to contact a doctor
A person
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain or pressure that does not go away
- new confusion
- difficulty staying awake or waking up
- pale, blue, or gray hues to their skin
People with concussion may have recently had a blow to the head, such as from a fall or car accident.
Symptoms
A head injury
- dizziness
- vomiting
- nausea
- confusion
Learn about the symptoms of concussion.
When to contact a doctor
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. However, a doctor may need to keep a person in the hospital for monitoring.
Depending on the nature of the head injury, a person might need ongoing support or rehabilitation, such as occupational therapy.
A stroke happens when something, such as a blood clot, blocks blood flow to the brain.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person and may change based on which area of the brain a stroke affects. Some people experience nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.
The
- inability to raise both arms to the same level
- one side of the face drooping, especially when a person smiles
- severe headache
- changes in speech, especially not being able to repeat words
- sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
When to contact a doctor
A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if they notice these symptoms in themselves or someone else. Delaying care can result in death.
There is no safe home treatment for a stroke. A doctor
As the brain controls much of what the body does, neurological conditions
Although rare, the appearance of these symptoms together may signal another neurological condition, such as a brain tumor.
Only a doctor can properly diagnose a neurological condition, so it is important to consult a neurologist for any unexplained symptoms that do not resolve with home treatment.
The treatment for these symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause.
Learn about different types of headaches.
Below are some common questions about these symptoms.
What causes dizziness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue?
A huge range of conditions can cause these general symptoms, including the common cold, pregnancy, and COVID-19. People should speak with a doctor or another healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
What deficiency causes headaches and fatigue?
Deficiencies in iron and vitamin B12
People can consult a healthcare professional if they suspect they have a nutritional deficiency.
Headaches can be worrying, and nausea can make even basic daily functions difficult — especially if someone also experiences dizziness, stomach pain, and fatigue.
However, in many cases, symptoms go away on their own or occur due to a minor illness, not because of a major health crisis.
In addition to the conditions above, there are many possible causes of these symptoms. A person should discuss their symptoms and history with a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
It is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms do not resolve on their own or worsen or if there are additional symptoms.